Erroneous Instincts

Suiko couldn't predict what would happen next. One moment, the monster was about to attack, the next, S-Class Hero King casually stepped out of a gaming shop as if he'd been hiding there all along. Then, a caped bald man called out saying that King had 'weakened the monster for him,' before pointing at her and blatantly hitting on her.

She glanced toward King, who hadn't moved an inch since stepping outside. Had he actually done something to the monster? The thought gnawed at her, leading to one conclusion, King's might was unfathomable.

"How do you know my—"

"Your name?" The bald man grinned. "I'm a big fan. 'Void Fist'—your grandfather's a true legend, so of course I'm interested in the inheritors of his martial art. Say, I would love to swing by your dojo sometime."

A spark of interest toward the mysterious newcomer flickered within Suiko as she made her way to King's side.

Creak

Faultless Marionette's body trembled violently. "Ignore me…? The one who grants flawlessness? Unacceptable!"

With a thunderous clap, it slammed its charred wooden hands together. Suddenly, countless threads shot from its fingertips, weaving through the air and twisting into the shape of a massive war hammer.

Suiko gritted her teeth. If the monster had wanted to, it could have ended her with ease. She despised this feeling. The last time she had felt so powerless was two years ago, when her grandfather passed away.

This bald man carried himself with absolute confidence, yet his posture and stance were those of a complete amateur fighter. Was he bluffing? Did he think he could act tough just because King was here to save him? These thoughts tumbled in Suiko's mind, but failed to settle as she watched what unfolded next.

Faultless Marionette lunged at the man with blurring speed, defying its hulking size. The war hammer descended like an avalanche, unstoppable.

"Oh. I love this game."

The war hammer struck true, crushing him into the pavement.

Did he really just...

Faultless Marionette raised up its war hammer. "It is time… To complete your transformation. Hmm?" Its violet eyes flickered.

The bald man was buried neck-deep in concrete, yet his expression remained as carefree as ever.

"Alright, let's begin. Try your best to hit me."

Faultless Marionette wasted no time, slamming its massive war hammer down again, sending chunks of concrete flying and leaving a small crater in its wake.

 "He's…" Suiko mumbled.

"He is playing a game of 'Whac-A-Mole' with the monster," said King, his voice unwavering.

Suiko could only nod, eyes locked on the lunacy unfolding before her.

Faultless Marionette struck again and again, each swing faster than the last, yet no matter how relentless its attacks became, it couldn't land a single blow.

"Why…? Cease your futile resistance! You must understand. Perfection! I will bestow it!"

With a frantic gesture, Faultless Marionette split its hands apart, the threads of its war hammer rapidly unraveling and twisting into two separate war hammers.

"Enough of your nonsense." The man's hand shot through the concrete, latching onto the monster's leg with an iron grip. "Why don't you come down here and see what it's like to be the mole? Do you think the mole enjoys getting whacked?"

Faultless Marionette raised its war hammers, but before they could descend even an inch, its massive frame vanished — dragged under in a blink.

RUMBLE!

Suiko braced herself as a powerful underground blast sent shockwaves rippling through the street. The ground trembled violently beneath their feet, buildings groaned in protest, and abandoned cars rocked madly before everything settled once more.

She glanced over at King, noting how his expression and stance remained completely unchanged. The 'King Engine,' still making its presence known.

How closed had her eyes been? Why had she ever felt proud of her abilities? Compared to those who wielded true strength, she was nothing more than a liability. Perhaps... one of them would give her some pointers.

A deep noise from beneath the ground pulled her attention forward. As the noise reached its peak, a red-gloved hand burst through the charred pavement, thrusting into the air. With effortless ease, the bald man crawled out, brushing debris from his suit.

Suiko couldn't stay silent any longer and asked, "What's your name? Are you a hero? A martial artist? How did you do that? Would you be willing to give me some pointers? Maybe you could swing by the dojo like you mentioned? The—"

The bald man raised a hand. "Whoa, slow down. Too many questions." He flashed a carefree grin. "But to answer the first two, my name's Caspian, and I'm just a hero for fun."

Suiko tilted her head, brow furrowing in thought. "Nope. Never heard of you."

Caspian shrugged and turned his attention toward King. "We meet again at last. And what do you do? Save yet another city. Hey, what's in that bag?"

"N-Nothing!" King's quickly hid the shopping bag behind his back.

Is this how the powerful act?

Suiko studied the pair. The more they conversed and moved about, the more it seemed she was watching two regular humans with no actual fighting experience. Her instincts screamed this detail at her. But it couldn't be true. She had already been wrong too many times today, and this must have been yet another error on her end.

After waiting for what felt like minutes, Suiko had to interrupt them, first turning to King. "Hey. Would you be willing to give me some pointers?"

"Nope, I have to go."

Suiko wanted to respond, but King had already walked back into the store.

Go where?!

She looked at Caspian and asked, "How about you?"

Caspian looked away. "Can't say I'm fan of being someone's second choice."

But I asked you first…

Following those words, he ran away before disappearing into some alley.

Suiko stood there in a daze. Did their strength screw with their minds? What just happened?

Her eyes closed and reopened with a new, determined light. "I won't let you get away that easily."

While she admired King for his strength, that was where it ended. With Caspian, though, it was different. Something about him sparked her curiosity. She had to learn all she could about this man. He claimed to be a hero, so the first step would be to check the Hero Registry.

Actually, that gave her an idea, a new direction to follow.

"I'll become a hero too," said Suiko as she focused in the direction Caspian disappeared.